Apparatus for wrapping a flexible endless band into a coil

ABSTRACT

An apparatus for wrapping a flexible endless band into a coil comprising; a pair of pins mounted for rotation about a common axis parallel to the pins for wrapping the band, a carriage movable toward and away from the pins and having a peg thereon over which the band is placed, means to retard the motion of the carriage to apply tension to the band while it is being wrapped about the pins, means for withdrawing the peg and means for ejecting the coiled band from the pins. Means are also provided to feed tape to the band as it is being wrapped so that the tape is wrapped up with the band and holds the band in a coiled configuration. The foregoing abstract is not to be taken as limiting the invention of this application, and in order to understand the full nature and extent of the technical disclosure of this application, reference must be made to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description.

United States Patent Brinkley et a1.

[ 1 Oct. 3, 1972 [54] APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING A FLEXIBLE ENDLESS BAND INTO A COIL [22] Filed: June 25, 1970 [21} Appl. No.: 49,684

[52] [1.8. CI. ..53/l16, 53/199, 242/861 [51] Int. Cl ..B65b 13/04, B651) 63/04 [58] Field of Search ..53/3, 198 R, 198 A, 199, 13, 53/116; 242/43, 81, 80, 86.1, 74, 78.1,164,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,914,897 12/1959 l-laugwitz ..53/198 R X 3,104,841 9/1963 Johnson et a1 ..242/43 X 2,732,063 1/1956 Dedek et a1 ..53/3 X 3,111,795 11/1963 Trosteletal ..53/l99X 2,395,125 2/1946 Kile et a1 ..53/199 X FOREIGN PATENTS OR APPLlCATlONS 673,654 11/1964 ltaly ..242/81 1,011,281 11/1965 Great Britain ..53/l99 Primary Examiner-Travis S. McGehee Assistant Examiner-Eugene F. Desmond Attorney-F. W. Brunner and Michael L. Gill ABSTRACT An apparatus for wrapping a flexible endless band into a coil comprising; a pair of pins mounted for rotation about a common axis parallel to the pins for wrapping the band, a carriage movable toward and away from the pins and having a peg thereon over which the band is placed, means to retard the motion of the carriage to apply tension to the band while it is being wrapped about the pins, means for withdrawing the peg and means for ejecting the coiled band from the pins. Means are also provided to feed tape to the band as it is being wrapped so that the tape is wrapped up with the band and holds the band in a coiled configuration.

The foregoing abstract is not to be taken as limiting the invention of this application, and in order to understand the full nature and extent of the technical disclosure of this application, reference must be made to the accompanying drawings and the following detailed description.

12 Claims, 1 Drawing Figures PATENTEU B I972 3.694.998

sum 1 or 4 O03) cam o V N V [N VENTOR S g g, m MAX 0. BRINKLEY m to By GLENN 0. KERR ATTORNEY PATENTED B1 3 I973 SHEET 3 BF 4 FIGS INVENTORS MAX D. BRINKLEY BY GLENN D. KERR WZM ATTORNEY PATENTED 0m 3 I972 SHEET Q [If 4 I3! W b TAPE FEED PEG CUT TAPE PUSH'OFF TUBE FIG. 7

INVEAN'TORS MAX D. BRINKLEY BY GLENN 0. KERR 7I7MZM ATTORNEY APPARATUS FOR WRAPPING A FLEXIBLE ENDLESS BAND INTO A COIL This invention relates to an apparatus for wrapping a flexible endless band into a coil, and more particularly to an apparatus for automatically wrapping a tube for a pneumatic tire into a coil.

After being manufactured, tubes for pneumatic tires and other items in the form of a flexible endless band are usually wrapped up into a small coil for packaging and shipment. It is desirable that such flexible endless bands or tubes be compacted into a small package in order to provide economy in packaging and shipping. One method of providing such a small package is to first wrap the flexible endless band into a substantially tight coil and then to maintain the band in the coiled configuration for subsequent packaging.

It is an object of this invention to provide an apparatus for wrapping a flexible endless band into a substantially small coil and thereafter maintain the band in the coiled configuration for subsequent packaging.

Other objects will be in part apparent, and in part pointed out more in detail hereinafter.

The invention accordingly consists in the features of construction, combination of elements and arrangement of parts which will be exemplified in the construction hereafter set forth and the scope of the application of which will be indicated in the appended claims.

In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is an elevational view of an apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention with portions broken away:

FIG. 2 is an enlarged view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 taken substantially along line 22 of FIG. 1 with portions broken away;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 taken substantially along line 3-3 of FIG. 1 with portions broken away;

FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. I taken substantially along line 44 of FIG. I with portions broken away;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 taken substantially along line 55 of FIG. 3 with portions broken away;

FIG. 6 is an enlarged view of a portion of the apparatus of FIG. 1 taken substantially along line 66 of F IG. 1; and

FIG. 7 is a schematic diagram of the electrical control system for the apparatus of FIG. 1.

With reference to the drawings and in particular FIGS. 1 and 2, there is illustrated an apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention for wrapping a tube for a pneumatic tire or a flexible endless band into a coil. In FIG. 1 a tube 95 is illustrated in position in the apparatus and partially wrapped about a pair of parallel pins 31. The rotation of the pins about a common axis parallel to and midway between the pins 31 causes the tube 95 to be wrapped thereabout. A strip of electrostatic tape 67 is wrapped up with the tube 95 and holds the tube 95 in a coiled configuration when it is ejected from the apparatus by the kick-off plate 48, as illustrated in chain dotted lines in FIG. 2.

More particularly and with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, and apparatus constructed in accordance with this invention comprises a generally rectangular frame or table 10 having a drive motor 11 mounted on one end thereof near the bottom. The motor 11 is operably connected through a pneumatic clutch to a sprocket 12 above the clutch 115 by means of a drive chain 13. The sprocket 12 is fixably mounted on a horizontal wind-up shaft 14 which extends perpendicularly with respect to the long dimension of the frame 10 and is located generally above the drive motor 11 and clutch 115.

As best seen in FIGS. 2 and 3, the wind-up shaft 14 is rotatably mounted on the frame 10 by means of a pair of base mounted anti-friction bearings 15 located on axially opposite sides of the sprocket 12. The wind-up shaft 14 has a coaxial bore or passage 16 which extends from the end 17 thereof, which is at the back of the frame 10 past the anti-friction bearings 15 and ultimately communicates with a pair of radial holes 18 in the shaft 14. The outer end of the bore 16 is internally threaded as at 19 to receive a conduit or pipe 20. A rotary pneumatic pipe joint 21 is connected to and communicates with the outer end of the bore 16.

The forward end 22 of the wind-up shaft 14 opposite the bore 16 extends beyond the inner end of the bore 16. A circular flat flange 23 is welded to the forward end 22 of the wind-up shaft 14 with its center coincident with the axis of the wind-up shaft 14 and with the flange 23 perpendicular to the axis of the wind-up shaft 14. A generally circular support plate 24 is fixably mounted on the flange 23 by means of bolts 25. The circular support plate 24 again is perpendicular to the axis of the shaft 14 with its center coincident with the axis of the wind-up shaft 14. A guide rod 26 is rigidly mounted on the support plate 24 at the center thereof and extends outwardly from the side of the support plate 24 opposite the flange 23. The guide rod 26 is coaxial with the wind-up shaft 14 and serves to guide the valve stem 113 neatly into the central portion of the tube, as best seen in FIG. 1.

As best seen in FIG. 2, a pair of tube ejector air cylinders 27 are fixably mounted on the support plate 24 and displaced equal distances from the wind-up shaft 14. The tube ejector air cylinders 27 are oriented degrees apart from each other and have the direction of motion of their plungers 28 parallel to the axis of the wind-up shaft 14. A pair of holes 29 are provided in the support plate 24 and positioned to permit passage of the plungers 28 therethrough. A conduit 30 connects each tube ejector air cylinder 27 to one of the radial holes 18 in the side of the wind-up shaft 14 which communicates with the bore 16.

Again with particular reference to FIG. 2, a pair of pins 31 is rigidly mounted on the support plate 24 with their long axis parallel to the common axis of the shaft 14 and guide rod 26 and are equally spaced from the axis of the shaft 14 and are angularly spaced apart 180 about said axis. Each pin 31 is generally circular in cross-section and has a rounded outer end 32. Just inwardly of the rounded end 32 is an elongated reduced diameter portion 33 for receiving a Teflon sleeve 34. The Teflon sleeve 34 is loose on the reduced diameter portion 33 and has an outer diameter at least equal to the maximum outer diameter of the rounded outer end portion 32. The length of the reduced diameter portion 33 is slightly longer than the length of the Teflon sleeve 34 in order to permit free rotation of the Teflon sleeves 34 about the pin 31. This prevents binding of the tube 95 on the pins 31 during the winding operation. The inner end 35 of the pin 31 opposite the rounded end 32 is threaded to receive a nut 36. The diameter of the threads on the inner end 35 of the pin 31 is smaller than the diameter of the reduced diameter portion 33 such that the nut 36 can be turned up tight against a shoulder 38 at the inner end of the reduced diameter portion 33, thus securing the nut in position. The pair of pins 31 are then threaded into a pair of threaded holes 39 in the support plate 24. The pin 31 can then be secured relative to the support plate 24 by tightening the nut 36 up against the support plate 24. There are more than one pair of holes 39 in order to permit adjustment of the spacing of the pair of pins 31.

With reference to FIGS. 2 and 3, a circular back-up plate 40 is disposed on the side of the support plate 24 opposite the wind-up shaft 14 and has its center coincident with the axis of the wind-up shaft 14. The backup plate 40 is parallel to the support plate 24 and has a straight elongated slot 41 passing therethrough to accommodate the rod 26 and pair of pins 31. The slot 41 passes perpendicularly through the center of the plate 40 and terminates short of the outer edge of periphery 42 of the plate 40. The plate 40 is connected to the plungers 28 of the air cylinders 27 by means of countersunk screws 32.

With particular reference to FIG. 3, the support plate 24 and back-up plate 40 are illustrated in a top view. From this view it can be seen that there are a pair of cylinders 44 rigidly mounted on the support plate 24 and extend parallel to the shaft 14 in a direction away from the back-up plate 40. A cylindrical bearing sleeve 45 is located coaxially within each cylinder 44. A circular rod 46 slidably extends through the center of each bearing sleeve 45 and has one end 47 fixed to the plate 40 as by welding. These cylinders 44 are located the same distance from the wind-up shaft 14 as are the air cylinders 27 but are oriented 90 away from the cylinders 27 about the axis of the shaft 14.

Thus it can be seen that the back-up plate 40 can be moved axially with respect to the pins 31 and toward and away from the support plate 24 by the motion of the plungers 28 in air cylinders 27. Air pressure in the cylinders 27 forces the back-up plate 40 away from the support plate 24 and upon release of the air in the cylinders 27 a spring return mechanism in these cylinders 27 returns the back-up plate 40 to its original position adjacent the support plate 24.

Again with reference to FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, a circular kick-off plate 48 is bolted to the outer side of the backup plate 40 and has a central hole 49 passing therethrough to accommodate the guide rod 26. A pair of holes 50 are located on laterally opposite sides of the central hole 49 to permit passage of the pins 31 therethrough. The purpose of this removable kick-off plate 48 is to permit adjustment of the distance between the pair of pins 31 and still have a substantially coextensive back-up or kick-off plate for the winding process. When the pins 31 are moved closer together or farther apart as by screwing them into different pairs of holes 39 in the support plate 24, a different kick-off plate 48 is installed on the back-up plate 40 to accommodate the different spacing of the pins 31.

As best seen in FIGS. 1, 2 and 3, an upstanding support 51 is rigidly mounted on the frame and is located inwardly of the frame 10 with respect to the wind-up shaft 14. A horizontal arm 52 extends outwardly from the upstanding support 51 and over the wind-up shaft 14. A brush supporting shaft 53 is rotatably mounted on the horizontal arm 52 with its axis parallel to the axis of the wind-up shaft 14. A brush 54 is mounted on an arm 55 which is in turn rigidly mounted on the brush shaft 53 for rotation therewith. The brush extends downwardly into the area of the pins 31 and is in alignment therewith for movement toward and away from the pins 31 in generally radial directions upon rotation of the shaft 53. A yoke 56 is rigidly connected to the end of the shaft 53 which is nearest the back of the apparatus and is pivotally connected to the plunger 57 of a brush operating air cylinder 58 for movement about an axis parallel to the pins 31. The brush operating air cylinder 58 is pivotally connected at its opposite end 59 to a support member 60 which is rigidly mounted on the upstanding support 51 for movement about an axis which is parallel to the axis of the pins 31. The motion of the plunger 57 when pressurized air is supplied to the brush operating cylinder 58 turns the yoke 56 and rotates the brush supporting shaft 53 which moves the brush 54 toward the pins 31. A spring return in the brush operating air cylinder 58 causes retraction of the brush 54 upon release of the air.

As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, a pair of upstanding plates 61 are rigidly mounted on the outer end of the horizontal arm 52. A horizontal tape carrying shaft 63, best seen in FIG. 6, is mounted between the upper ends 64 of the upstanding plates 61 and disposed above the parallel to the pair of pins 31. The ends of the tape carrying shaft 63 are supported at each end in the upstand ing plates by means of a spring loaded ball pin 65. The pin 66 in the spring loaded ball pin 65 is seated in a mating coaxial recess in the end of the tape carrying shaft 63. The tape carrying shaft 63 is supported entirely by the pins 66 and its rotary motion can be retarded by tightening the spring loaded ball pin 65 against the tape carrying shaft 63. Although spring loaded ball pins 65 are illustrated, it will be apparent that any suitable braking means may be used to retard the rotary motion of the shaft 63.

With reference to FIG. 1, a cylindrical drum 62 is fixed to the tape carrying shaft 63 for rotation therewith. The drum 62 is adapted to receive a roll of Electrostratic tape 67 or other suitable tape. A tape that carries a static electrical charge, such as Vitafilm tape, and tends to cling to itself is preferred.

A vertical guide way 68 is mounted on the horizontal support 52 with its upper end or input end 69 generally in line with the periphery of the roll of tape 67. The guide way 68 comprises a pair of closely spaced plates 70 and 71 having the space therebetween in the shape of a flat enclosed channel which is generally tangent to the peripheral surface of a full roll of tape 67. The lower ends 72 and 73 of the plates 70 and 71, respectively, extend to a position just above the pair of pins 31 and close to the front surface of the kick-off plate 48. The ends 72 and 73 are displaced laterally from the guide rod 26 a short distance in the direction the tube extends from the pair of pins 31. The first plate 70 which is closest to a plane containing the axis of the wind-up shaft 14 and tape carrying shaft 63 has its lower end 72 extending farther in a downward direction than the second plate 71. As best seen in FIGS. 5 and 2, there is a horizontal slot 74 extending through the first plate 70 and spanning the central portion of the lower end 73 of the second plate 71.

Also with reference to FIG. 5, a conduit 75 extends through the first plate 70 at an acute angle with respect thereto and in a general direction toward the first plate 70 from the upper end of the first plate 70 to the lower end 72 of the first plate 70. The conduit 75 communicates with an 80 p.s.i. source of pressurized air (not illustrated).

An arm 76 is rigidly mounted on the second plate 71 and rigidly mounts a cut-off air cylinder 77 in a horizontal position with its line of plunger motion perpendicular to the general plane of the vertical guideway 68. A cutting mechanism 78 generally illustrated in FIG. 5 is mounted on the plunger 79 of the cut-off air cylinder 77. The cutting mechanism 78 comprises a blade 80 which extends in a horizontal direction with its sharp edge 83 parallel to and adjacent the path of the tape 67. The blade 80 is aligned with the slot 74 in the bottom of the first plate 70 such that motion of the plunger will cause the blade to pass through the slot 74. A rubber block 81 is rigidly mounted on the bottom of the blade 80 and has a horizontal extension 82 which extends beyond the sharp edge 83 of the blade 80 in a direction toward the plane of the guideway 68 such that upon motion of the plunger 79 toward the path of the tape 67 the end or extension 82 of the rubber block 81 will engage theltape 67 and hold it tight against the lower end 72 of the first plate 70. Continued motion of the plunger 79 toward the tape path will compress the extension 82 of the rubber block 81 and cause the blade 80 to sever the tape 67 by passing through the horizontal slot 74 in the lower end 72 of the first plate 70. Upon release of air in the cut-ofi' air cylinder a spring return mechanism in the cutoff air cylinder returns the plunger 79 to its original position.

As best seen in FIG. 1, a cantilever support 84 is mounted on the frame and supports a guide means 85 in a position directly below the pair of pins 31. A guide means air cylinder 86 is rigidly mounted on the cantilever support 84 with its plunger 87 extending upwardly in a vertical direction through the cantilever support 84. A guide 88 is rigidly fixed to the top end of the plunger 87. A pair of parallel tubular members 89 is rigidly mounted on and extends vertically downwardly from the bottom of the cantilever support 84 and receive a pair of vertical guide rods 90 which are rigidly connected at their upper ends to the bottom of the guide 88. The guide rods 90 are disposed on opposite sides of the guide means air cylinder. It can be seen that by actuation of the guide means air cylinder 86 the guide 88 is forced upwardly and is returned downwardly upon deactivation of the air cylinder by a spring return in the air cylinder 86. The guide 88 is guided in both directions by means of the guide rods 90 extending through the cylindrical guides or tubular members 89.

The guide 88 comprises a generally horizontal plate 91 having the central portion 92 thereof dipped in the form of a semi-circle with its center of curvature coincident with the axis of the wind-up shaft 14 when the guide 88 is in its upwardly extended position. An end plate 93 extends upwardly from the horizontal plate 91 on the front side thereof. A soft resilient liner 94 is located on the upper side of the horizontal plate 91 to engage the tube 95. The soft resilient liner 94 can be of any material which will yield to the inner tube 95 but yet guide it in the wind-up operation. It has been found that a thick mat of sheeps wool serves this purpose quite well.

Also as best seen in FIG. 1, an upstanding arm 96 is rigidly mounted on the end of the frame 10 opposite the wind-up shaft 14. A pair of horizontal rods 97 disposed one vertically above the other are fixed to and extend between the upstanding arm 96 and the upstanding support 51. A carriage 98 is slidably mounted on the parallel slide rods 97 for motion therealong and in a path perpendicular to the axis of the pair of pins 3 As best seen in FIGS. 1 and 4, a horizontal peg retracting air cylinder 99 is mounted on the back of the carriage 98 and is perpendicular to the line of motion of the carriage 98. A peg 108 is connected to the plunger 101 of the peg retracting air cylinder 99 and extends through the carriage 98 and is coincident with the line of motion of the plunger 101. Activation of the peg retracting air cylinder 99 will retract the peg back toward the air cylinder until the outer end 102 of the peg 100 is behind the front side 103 of the carriage 98. Upon release of air in the air cylinder 99 a spring return mechanism in the air cylinder will move the peg 100 back through the front of the carriage 98.

A cable and pulley system generally illustrated at 104 in FIG. 1 is connected to the carriage 98 and supports a weight 109 such that it tends to draw the carriage 98 toward the upstanding arm 96. This cable and pulley arrangement provides a means to impede or retard the motion of the carriage 98 toward the pair of pins 31 and thus apply a tension to the tube 95 as it is being wound. As will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art this function can be accomplished by any suitable means such as a spring return, power drive or friction. In the particular embodiment illustrated the cable and pulley system 104 also serve to return the carriage 98 to the load" position after releasing the tube 95.

A horizontal elongated slide table 1 11 is mounted on the front of the frame 10 with its upper surface 112 disposed just below the peg 100 and extends substantially the length of travel of the peg 100.

A limit switch 114 is mounted on the side of the upstanding support 51 in the line of motion of the carriage 98 such that the carriage 98 will actuate the limit switch 114 when the carriage 98 is moved toward the upstanding support 51 and into a predetermined position with respect thereto.

With reference to FIG. 7, there is illustrated a schematic drawing of an electrical control system used in conjunction with the apparatus of FIG. 1. The system is illustrated in an off condition. A pair of power lines 1 16 and 1 17 are connected by a plurality of control circuits. A normally open reset switch 119 and normally open contacts 120c of relay 120 are connected in parallel and are both connected in series with a normally closed stop switch 1 18 and a relay 120. When the reset switch 1 19 is depressed momentarily, it causes current to flow to the relay 120 which causes the normally open holding contacts 120(- to close and thereby maintain current flow through the relay 120. The relay 120 also closes normally open holding contacts 120a and 120b, thus causing current to flow through the motor relay 121 which in turn starts the motor 11 illustrated in FIG. 1. The clutch 115 being a normally disengaged air operated clutch; the drive shaft 14 therefor is motionless at this time. When the normally open cycle start switch 122 is depressed momentarily, current flows through the normally closed time delay switch 129a, the clutch operating solenoid valve 124 and the relay 123. The clutch operating solenoid valve 124 causes air to flow to and cause the clutch to be engaged and the pin 31 to rotate. Also with depression of the start switch 122, the current flows through the normally closed holding contact 127a and the brush and guide means solenoid valve 130. The solenoid valve 130 causes air to flow to and actuate the brush operating air cylinder 58 and the guide means air cylinder 86. The brush 54 and guide means 85 then move into position to guide the tube 95 around the pair of pins 31. The depression of the start switch 122 is momentary but current is maintained through the solenoid valves 124 and 130 by the relay 123 closing the normally open contacts 123C which permits current to by-pass the start switch 122 when it is released. The relay 123 also opens the normally closed contacts 123a and closes the normally open delay switch l23b. The result of this operation is that current does not yet flow through the tape feed control solenoid valve 131.

The tube 95 winds about the pair of pins 131 until the carriage 98 is drawn up to the limit switch 114. The carriage 98 engages limit switch 114 and causes current to flow through the relay 125 and the peg retracting solenoid valve 126. This causes air to flow to the peg retracting air cylinder 99 which retracts the peg 100 and releases the tail end of the tube 95. The relay 125 being energized closes the normally open holding contacts 125a and maintains current through the solenoid valve 126 when the limit switch 114 is released upon retraction of the carriage 98 by the action of the counter weight 109. The relay 125 also closes the normally open time delay switch 125b. After a predetermined pause, the switch 1251) is closed causing current to flow through the relay 127. The delay in closing the delay switch 125b is necessary in order to permit continued winding of the tube 95 a sufficient amount to wrap the tube 95 and some additional tape 67 about the tube 95 before the relay 127 opens the normally closed holding contacts 127:: and retracts the guide means 85 and brush 54 by deactivation of the solenoid valve 130. The relay 127 also closes the normally open delay switch 127b. There is a slight delay on closing this switch but when closed, causes current to flow through tape cutting and tube ejecting solenoid valve 128 and the relay 129. A flow restrictor valve (not shown) in the air line to the tube ejector air cylinders 27 delays the ejection of the tube 95 until the tape 67 is cut. The relay 129 being energized opens the normally closed switch 1290. There is a delay in opening the switch 1290 to permit completion of the cutting operation. When the delay switch 1290 is opened, the current through the clutch operating solenoid valve 124 and relay 123 is interrupted. The relay 123 being de-energized causes the normally open holding contacts 1230 to open again and the normally closed holding contacts 123a to close again. There is a delay in the opening of the time delay switch 123b, thus resulting in a predetermined period of time for activation of the tape feed solenoid valve 131 to cause air to flow through the conduit and feed the end of the tape 67 to the area of the pair of pins 131. The time of the delay can be adjusted to cause more or less tape to be fed into the area of the pair of pins 31.

In the operation of the machine and as best seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, the end of the tape 67 is fed through a vertical guideway 68 to the area of the pair of pins 31 in front of the the kick-off plate 48. The operator makes sure that the tube 95 to be wrapped into a coil is flat and evacuated. The tube valve 113 is oriented so that it extends outwardly from a flat portion of the tube 95 which is then hooked over one of the pair of wind-up pins 31 and the peg 100 on the carriage 98 with the portion of the tube therebetween lying on the slide table 111. The tube 95 is so positioned that the valve 113 is at the one pin of the pair of pins over which the tube is hooked. At this point, the operator depresses the start switch 122 and actuates the apparatus. The pair of pins 31 turn and wind the tube around them to form a coil, as illustrated in dashed lines in H6. 1. The brush 54 and guide means 85 move into position to guide and hold the tube 95 on the pair of pins 31 immediately upon activation of the foot pedal. The end of the tape 67 being in the area of the pair of pins 31 gets wound up with the tube and is pulled along by the winding action. As the tube 95 is wound, the carriage 98 approaches the upstanding support 51. When the carriage 98 reaches a predetermined position, it engages the limit switch 114 which immediately causes the peg retracting air cylinder 99 to retract the peg 100 and release the trailing end of the tube 95. The cable and pulley system 104 causes the carriage 98 to return to its original position next to the upstanding arm 96. The pair of pins 31 continue to rotate for about 4 more turns, thus causing the complete wind-up of the tube 95 with an additional l'rto 2 turns of tape 67. The knife or blade cuts the tape 67 which, being electro-static, adheres to itself and holds the tube 95 in a wound configuration. Immediately upon the stopping of the rotation of the pair of pins 31, the brush 54 and guide means are retracted and thereafter, the kick-off plate 48 pushes the wound tube ofi' the pair of pins 31, as seen in FIG. 2. The tube 95 will slide off readily since the pair of pins 31 are provided with the Teflon sleeves 34. When the kick-off plate 48 returns to its original configuration, a short blast of air through the conduit 75 feeds a predetermined amount of tape 67 down into the area of the pair of pins 31. At this point, the cycle is completed and the apparatus is in condition for reloading another tube to be wrapped into a coil. It should be noted that while the guide 85 and brush 54 primarily serve to contain the tube 95 during the winding operation, this also enhances the electro-static charge on the tape 67.

While certain representative embodiments and details have been shown for the purpose of illustrating the invention, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention.

What is claimed is:

1. An apparatus for wrapping a flexible endless band into a coil comprising a frame, a pair of spaced parallel pins disposed adjacent each other and supported on said frame for rotation about a common axis parallel to and between said pins, means for rotating said pins about said axis, a carriage spaced from said pins and mounted on said frame for movement in directions toward and away from said axis in a plane perpendicular to said axis and having means thereon to secure one part of said band, and means to impede the motion of said carriage in a direction toward said axis.

2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further including means for mounting a coil of tape for rotation about its axis, means for feeding the end of said tape to a first predetermined position relative to said pins, and means for impeding the rotation of said coil.

3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further including means responsive to the winding of said band to cut said tape,

4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further including a rod extending parallel to and disposed between said pins.

5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further including a guide mounted for movement into and out of a third predetermined position relative to said pins to contain said band in a coil and means for moving said guide into and out of said third predetermined position.

6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further including a brush mounted for movement into and out of a second predetermined position relative to said pins to contain said band in a coil and means for moving said brush into and out of said second predetermined positron.

7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further including a guide mounted for movement into and out of a third predetermined position relative to said pins to contain said band in a coil and means for moving said guide into and out of said third predetermined position.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for feeding the end of said tape to a predetermined position comprises a guide channel, a conduit communicating with said guide channel at an acute angle with respect thereto, such that a blast of compressed air passing through said conduit and into said guide channel will force said tape through said guide channel and into said predetermined position relative to said pins.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further including means to eject said band from said pair of pins when said band is coiled.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further including a kick-off plate perpendicularly to said axis and mounted for movement in two directions parallel to said axis, said kick-off plate surrounding said pins in close proximity thereto, and means for moving said kick-off plate in said two directions.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 10, further including means for releasing said tube from said carriage in response to the movement of said carriage into a predetermined position relative to said pins.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further in cluding a kick-ofi plate perpendicularly to said axis and mounted for movement in two directions parallel to said axis, said kick-off plate surrounding said pins in close proximity thereto, and means for moving said kick-off plate in said two directions.

3, 9 +,998 Dated October 3, 1972 Patent No.

Max D Brinkley and Glenn D Kerr lnventor(s) It is certified that error appears in the aboveidentified patent and that said Letters Patent are hereby corrected as shown below:

Column 3, line 27, "32 should be +3 Column 6, line 22,

Column P, line the second "the" should be and "108" should be lOO Column 9, line 19, should be Signed and sealed this 8th day of May 1973.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M. FLETCHER,JR

ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer Commissioner of Patents Q U 5 GOVERNMENT FIHH'HNG OFFICE I969 0-355-33l 

1. An apparatus for wrapping a flexible endless band into a coil comprising a frame, a pair of spaced parallel pins disposed adjacent each other and supported on said frame for rotation about a common axis parallel to and between said pins, means for rotating said pins about said axis, a carriage spaced from said pins and mounted on said frame for movement in directions toward and away from said axis in a plane perpendicular to said axis and having means thereon to secure one part of said band, and means to impede the motion of said carriage in a direction toward said axis.
 2. An apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further including means for mounting a coil of tape for rotation about its axis, means for feeding the end of said tape to a first predetermined position relative to said pins, and means for impeding the rotation of said coil.
 3. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further including means responsive to the winding of said band to cut said tape,
 4. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further including a rod extending parallel to and disposed between said pins.
 5. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further including a guide mounted for movement into and out of a third predetermined position relative to said pins to contain said band in a coil and means for moving said guide into and out of said third predetermined position.
 6. An apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further including a brush mounted for movement into and out of a second predetermined position relative to said pins to contain said band in a coil and means for moving said brush into and out of said second predetermined position.
 7. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, further including a guide mounted for movement into and out of a third predetermined position relative to said pins to contain said band in a coil and means for moving said guide into and out of said third predetermined position.
 8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 6, wherein said means for feeding the end of said tape to a predetermined position comprises a guide channel, a conduit communicating with said guide channel at an acute angle with respect thereto, such that a blast of compressed air passing through said conduit and into said guide channel will force said tape through said guide channel and into said predetermined position relative to said pins.
 9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further including means to eject said band from said pair of pins when said band is coiled.
 10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further including a kick-off plate perpendicularly to said axis and mounted for movement in two directions parallel to said axis, said kick-off plate surrounding said pins in close proximity thereto, and means for moving said kick-off plate in said two directions.
 11. An apparatus As claimed in claim 10, further including means for releasing said tube from said carriage in response to the movement of said carriage into a predetermined position relative to said pins.
 12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 5, further including a kick-off plate perpendicularly to said axis and mounted for movement in two directions parallel to said axis, said kick-off plate surrounding said pins in close proximity thereto, and means for moving said kick-off plate in said two directions. 